SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
How to start the application process:
The application process consists of two parts: the first part is a web-based survey and
the second part is an application form in Word format. Both parts and all sections of
the application form need to be completed for the application to be processed.
First part: The web-based survey is used to collect information for statistical
purposes such as personal data (i.e. name, gender, nationality), contact details,
mandate/s applying for and nominating entity. The web-based survey should only
be completed once per selection round, i.e. multiple selection is allowed to indicate
if the candidate is applying for more than one mandate within a given selection
round.
Second part: The application form in Word which can be downloaded, completed and
saved in Word format and then submitted as an attachment by email. Information
provided in this form includes a motivation letter of maximum 600 words. The
application form should be completed in English only. It will be used as received to
prepare the public list of candidates who applied for each vacancy and will be made
available to concerned parties, including through the OHCHR public website.
Once completed, the application form in Word should be submitted by email to
hrcspecialprocedures@ohchr.org
If the candidate is applying for more than one mandate, a mandate-specific Word
application form needs to be completed and submitted for each mandate.

A maximum of three reference letters can be attached, in pdf format, to the
application sent by email. No additional documents such as CVs or lists of
publications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 30 April 2015 (12.00 noon GMT)

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at a later stage.
General description of the selection process is available at
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Nominations.aspx
Please note that for Working Group appointments, only nationals of States belonging
to the specific regional group are eligible. Please refer to the list of United Nations
regional groups of Member States at
http://www.un.org/depts/DGACM/RegionalGroups.shtml
In case of technical difficulties, or if you encountering problems completing or
accessing any of the forms, the Secretariat may be contacted by email at
hrcspecialprocedures@ohchr.org or fax at + 41 22 917 9011.
An acknowledgment email will be sent when we receive both parts of the
application process, i.e. the information through the web-based survey and
the Word application form by email.
Thank you for your interest in the work of the Human Rights Council.
1|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
I. PERSONAL DATA
1. Family name: Bacalso
5. Sex:
2. First name: Mary Aileen
6. Date of birth (dd-mm-yy): 18May-63
7. Place of birth: Cebu City
3. Maiden name (if any): Diez
4. Middle name: Diez
Male
Female
8. Nationality (please indicate the
nationality that will appear on the
public list of candidates): Filipino
9. Any other nationality: Not
applicable
II. MANDATE - SPECIFIC COMPETENCE / QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE
NOTE: Please describe why the candidate’s competence / qualifications /
knowledge is relevant in relation to the specific mandate:
1. QUALIFICATIONS (200 words)
Relevant educational qualifications or equivalent professional experience in
the field of human rights; good communication skills (i.e. orally and in
writing) in one of the six official languages of the United Nations (i.e. Arabic,
Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.)
The applicant been working for human rights during her university years and formally
since 1983. From 1992-1995, she was the Secretary-General of the Families of
Victims of Involuntary Disappearance, an NGO with consultative status with the UN
ECOSOC. She was its co-chairperson from 1996 until 2001. In 1998, she led the
formation of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances which started
from 3 organizations and has grown to a regional federation of 13 organizations from
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka,
Thailand and Timor-Leste. She is the focal person of the International Coalition
Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED).
The applicant participated actively in the drafting and negotiation process of the
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance. She is also actively campaigning for signatures and ratifications for
the said Convention in Asia and the rest of the world.
2|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
She graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts, major in Mass Communication in St.
Theresa's College. She is also finishing her Masters on Philippine Studies major in
Foreign Relations at the University of the Philippines.
She has excellent written and oral communication skills in English. She has edited a
number of publications. She also has a good knowledge of Spanish.
2. RELEVANT EXPERTISE (200 words)
Knowledge of international human rights instruments, norms and principles.
(Please state how this was acquired.)
Knowledge of institutional mandates related to the United Nations or other
international or regional organizations’ work in the area of human rights.
(Please state how this was acquired.)
Proven work experience in the field of human rights. (Please state years of
experience.)
The applicant has an in-depth knowledge of the UN Declaration for the Protection of
All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the UN Convention for the Protection of
All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. This knowledge has been acquired through
the applicant's 23 years of work on enforced disappearances at the national, regional
and international levels. She also has knowledge on the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the UN
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
The applicant was actively involved in all the sessions of the drafting and negotiation
of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance from 2003-2005. She also campaigned for 16 years for the passing of
the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act in the Philippines.
On several aoccasions, the applicant participated in meetings with the UN Working
Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. She was invited to speak during
its activities for its 30th anniversary.She is involved in the writing and editing of cases
and general allegations by FIND, AFAD and its member-organizations submitted to
the UN WGEID.
On a more basic note, she has taken several courses on human rights and has
participated in several human rights conferences during the last 32 years.
3. ESTABLISHED COMPETENCE (200 words)
Nationally, regionally or internationally recognized competence related to
human rights. (Please explain how such competence was acquired.)
3|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
In an en banc resolution of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights dated
November 29, 2013, she received an official recognition for her work against enforced
disappearances in the Philippines, in Asia and the rest of the world.
At the international level, on 26 June 2013, she, together with Mr. Juan Mendez,
received the Patrick Rice Human Rights Award from the Torture Abolition and
Survivors Support Coalition in Washington DC.
On 10 December 2013, the applicant received the Emilio F. Mignone International
Human Rights Prize, the premiere human rights prize in Latin America, bestowed
upon her by the Government of Argentina.
She is also leading the 53-member International Coalition Against Enforced
Disappearances which is mandated to campaign for the universal ratification and
implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearance.
4. FLEXIBILITY/READINESS AND AVAILABILITY OF TIME (200 words)
to perform effectively the functions of the mandate and to respond to its
requirements, including participating in Human Rights Council sessions in
Geneva and General Assembly sessions in New York, travelling on special
procedures visits, drafting reports and engaging with a variety of
stakeholders. (Indicate whether candidate can dedicate an estimated total
of approx. three months per year to the work of a mandate.)
The applicant can certainly dedicate ample time to contribute to the performance of
the functions of the mandate and to respond to its requirements as above indicated.
Travelling has been a part of her life as a leader in the struggle against enforced
disappearances in the last 23 years. She has extensively travelled to 45 countries
because of her work on enforced disappearance. She can definitely comply with the
approximaly three months per year of requirement to the work that she is applying
for.
4|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
III. MOTIVATION LETTER (600 word limit)
31 March 2015
Dear Sirs/Mesdames,
Warm greetings!
I have learned that the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
(UN WGEID) is open for applications for the vacant position of its member from Asia
Pacific States. May I take this opportunity to apply for the position.
I am Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, current Secretary-General of the Asian Federation
Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD). I have been holding this position for the
last 17 years, having led the formation of this only federation against enforced
disappearances in Asia. Prior to this, from 1992 - 1995, I was also the SecretaryGeneral of the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND), an
organization in consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. I served
as the Co-chairperson of this organization from November 1995 to November 2001.
I also had other jobs in other cause-oriented human rights organizations prior to my
involvement in the cause for the disappeared.
Representing AFAD, I am the current focal person of the International Coalition
Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED), formed after the signing of the Convention
on Enforced Disappearances in Paris in 2007. Composed, among others of
international organizations like Amnesty International, International Coalition of
Jurists, Human Rights Watch, the Coalition is mandated to campaign for universal
ratification and implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of
All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Having experienced at least some of the devastating effects of enforced
disappearance when my husband was briefly disappeared by elements of the Military
Intelligence Group in Cebu City in 1988, exactly two months after our marriage, my
commitment to the cause for the disappeared goes beyond my professional career.
To note, my husband was tortured and released after a week in secret detention.
Moreover, my more than two decades of work on the issue of enforced
disappearances is giving me ample opportunities to integrate, better still, immerse
myself with families of the disappeared and deeply understand their situation.
By dint of my work on enforced disappearances at the national, regional and
international levels, the Government of Argentina bestowed upon me the Emilio F.
Mignone International Human Rights Prize on 10 December 2013.
5|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
I believe that my academic background, my work experience on human rights in
general and on enforced disappearances in particular, my wide network of
organizations working on enforced disappearances from various parts of the world
and my personal experience as a victim of human rights violation - all these are
strong foundations which prepare me for the position that I am applying for.
Furthermore, my excellent communication skills in English and my knowledge of
Spanish will be useful assets if given the opportunity to be a part of this important
human rights body.
With this and the support of AFAD and ICAED, I reiterate my intention to apply for
this position and to undergo the necessary process required. Our memberorganizations in Asia believe that if I be given this chance to work as a member of the
UN WGEID, my presence in this body will go a long way towards strengthening our
work here in this region that submitted a very high number of cases of enforced
disappearances. I will do my level best to be of contribution to the global struggle to
attain a world without enforced disappearances.
I am certain that if given the opportunity to be a part of this very relevant body of
the United Nations, I will use my acquired knowledge and skills and most
importantly, my personal commitment to the cause of the disappeared and their
families to serve the best interest of the victims. I assure you that my knowledge,
experience, skills and commitment to the cause of the disappeared and their families
will serve as an important asset to the UN WGEID.
I look forward to your favorable response to my application.
Thank you very much.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) MARY AILEEN DIEZ-BACALSO
6|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
IV. LANGUAGES (READ / WRITTEN / SPOKEN)
Please indicate all language skills:
Mother tongue: /
Arabic: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or Not easily:
Write: Easily or Not easily:
Speak: Easily or Not easily:
Chinese: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily:
Write: Easily or not easily:
Speak: Easily or not easily:
English: Yes or no: YES
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily: Easily
Write: Easily or not easily: Easily
Speak: Easily or not easily: Easily
French: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily:
Write: Easily or not easily:
Speak: Easily or not easily: i
Russian: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily:
Write: Easily or not easily:
Speak: Easily or not easily:
Spanish: Yes or no: YES
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily: Easily
Write: Easily or not easily: Easily
Speak: Easily or not easily: Easily
7|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
V. EDUCATIONAL RECORD
NOTE: Please list the candidate’s academic qualifications (university level
and higher).
Name of degree and name of academic
institution:
Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communication
Master of Arts in Philippine Studies, Major in
Foreign Relations
Spanish Language Course
8|Page
Years of
attendance
(from-to):
Place and
country:
1979-1983
St. Theresa's
College, Cebu City,
Philippines
2007 -present
University of the
Philippines,Diliman,
Quezon City
2000-2003
Instituto
Cervantes, Manila
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
VI. EMPLOYMENT RECORD
NOTE: Please briefly list ALL RELEVANT professional positions held,
beginning with the most recent one.
Name of employer,
functional title,
main functions of position:
Asian Federation Against Involuntary
Disappearances (AFAD), Secretary-General
Years of work
(from-to):
Place and
country:
1998 to present
Manila,
Philippines
1995 - 2001
Manila,
Philippines
1. Serve as co-official representative of the
organization;
2. Lead the Secretariat of the Federation and
ensure smooth implementation of AFAD's
programs and services and ensure the full
functioning of the Federation as the center for
service and coordination vis-à-vis the federation's
member-organizations;
3. Review the work of the Secretariat members
and ensure quantity and quality outputs as
expected by the Federation;
4. Edit all the official publications of the
Federation.
5. Facilitate the preparation of Council meetings
and assist the Chairperson in the actual conduct
of the meetings.
6. Coordinate with the AFAD memberorganizations in relation to the implementation of
the the General Program of Action.
7. Serve as the Focal Person of the International
Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances.
8. Take charge of relating with funding agencies
and ensure that sources of funds are secured by
writing proposals and conducting other pro-active
ways of raising funds.
9. Relate with partners, allies and consultants of
the Federation.
10. Act as one of the signatories to AFAD's bank
accounts.
Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance,
Co-Chairperson
9|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
1. Serve as the official representative of the
organization in public functions both at the
national and international levels;
2. Take charge of leading its international work.
3. Lead the FIND chapters in various provinces in
the implementation of their work and ensure
quantity and quality outputs and outcomes.
4. Convene the FIND Council and Executive
Council and ensure the efficient and effective
implementation of their leadership functions.
5. Coordinate with the different chapters of FIND
in the different parts of the country.
6. Take charge of FIND's international work and
coordinate with similar organizations in other
countries.
7. Serve as editor-in-chief of FIND's official
publications, The Search and all other publications
of the organization.
8. Review the work of the Secretariat.
9. Act as one of the signatories to FIND's bank
accounts.
Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance,
Secretary-General
1. Lead the Secretariat as the center for
coordination and service of the organization vis-àvis its various provincial chapters.
2. Take charge or representing the organization
in public functions at home and abroad when the
Chairperson is not available.
3. Write project proposals and relate with funding
agencies and ensure the prompt submission of
proposals and reports.
4. Act as one of the signatories to the FIND bank
accounts.
5. Coordinate with other government and nongovernment organizations at home and abroad.
6. Coordinate with other civil society human
10 | P a g e
1992-1995
Manila,
Philippines
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
rights organizations to ensure a cohesive and
stronger response to enforced disappearances in
the country.
7. Serve as associate editor of FIND's official
publications.
Promotion of Church People's Rights-Visayas,
Executive Secretary
1. Lead the Secretariat as the coordinative and
service body of the organization;
2. Coordinate with the various chapters in the
different parts of the Visayas;
3. Coordinate with heads and functionaries of
various ecumenical churches, e.g., bishops,
priests, sisters, pastors and layworkers.
4. Take charge of the fund-raising of the
organization and deal with various funders and
partners.
5. Coordinate with the Chairperson in the conduct
of campaign and activities that would stop the
persecution of Church people and lead in the
resolution of cases of persecution of Church
people.
6. Edit official statements and publications of the
organization.
7. Facilitate the full and effective functioning of
the Council of the organization.
8. Act as one of the signatories to the
organization's bank accounts.
11 | P a g e
1986-1988
Cebu City,
Philippines
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
VII. COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICS AND INTEGRITY PROVISIONS
(of Human Rights Council resolution 5/1)
1. To your knowledge, does the candidate have any official, professional,
personal, or financial relationships that might cause him/her to limit the
extent of their inquiries, to limit disclosure, or to weaken or slant findings in
any way? If yes, please explain.
NO
2. Are there any factors that could either directly or indirectly influence,
pressure, threaten, or otherwise affect the candidate’s ability to act
independently in discharging his/her mandate? If yes, please explain:
NO
3. Is there any reason, currently or in that past, that could call into question
the candidate’s moral authority and credibility or does the candidate hold
any views or opinions that could prejudice the manner in which she/he
discharges his mandate? If yes, please explain:
NO
4. Does the candidate comply with the provisions in paragraph 44 and 46 of
the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1?
Para. 44: The principle of non-accumulation of human rights functions
at a time shall be respected.
Para. 46: Individuals holding decision-making positions in Government
or in any other organization or entity which may give rise to a conflict
of interest with the responsibilities inherent to the mandate shall be
excluded. Mandate holders will act in their personal capacity.
YES
5. Should the candidate be appointed as a mandate holder, he/she will have
to take measures to comply with paragraphs 44 and 46 of the annex to
Council resolution 5/1. In the event that the current occupation or activity,
even if unpaid, of the candidate may give rise to a conflict of interest (e.g. if
a candidate holds a decision-making position in Government) and/or there is
an accumulation of human rights functions (e.g. as a member of another
human rights mechanism at the international, regional or national level),
necessary measures could include relinquishing positions, occupations or
activities. If applicable, please indicate the measures the candidate will take.
12 | P a g e
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances,
member from Asia-Pacific States [HRC res. 27/1]
Appointments of special procedures mandate holders to be made
at HRC29 in July 2015
The applicant is not in any way involved in any government or inter-governmental
human rights positions at the national, regional and international levels.
She is presently involved in AFAD and ICAED, which are both non-government
organizations. Necessary adjustment of responsibilities have been initially discussed
by the leadership of both organizations if the candidate would qualify for the position.
Concrete adjustment of responsibilities be done if and when the candidate will be
accepted for the position that she is applying for.
****
13 | P a g e